This invention relates to insulating and accumulation construction partition and a method for its production.

The Phase-Change Material - PCM is distinguished by its ability to store thermal energy associated with the change of state after crossing the so-called phase transition temperature. The phase change heat has from tens to two hundred times the value of the specific heat used in masonry materials construction. PCM phase change materials are divided into three types: organic PCM, inorganic PCM and eutectic PCM, which include two categories: organic and inorganic compounds. The inorganic PCM include: salt hydrates, salts, metals and alloys, while organic ones include paraffin.

The composites containing in its composition PCMs are used in a variety of thermal storage systems. The advantage of the organic phase-change material PCM in the liquid state is the possibility of its dispersion and good distribution in the matrix. Due to the relatively high latent heat, melting behavior and non- corrosivity, the paraffin as a phase-change material PCM was considered as an material appropriate for thermal energy storage, as shown e.g. in the publication: B. He, V. Martin, F. Setterwall. Phase transition temperature ranges and storage density of paraffin wax phase change materials. Energy, 29 (2004), pp. 1785- 1804.

The phase-change materials PCM are successfully used as an ingredient of concretes. In the case of an ordinary concrete already in 1976 in the publication: R.D. Godfrey, S.A. Mumma. Thermal Performance of Paraffin Phase Change Materials Dispersed in a Concrete Mortar Filler Matrix. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1976) n 76-WA/HT-33, a study on thermal properties of the concrete with a dispersed phase-change material PCM, e.g., by means of infusion was disclosed. The results obtained in this study showed that the thermal energy capacity of the concrete wall with a dispersed phase-change material PCM was higher compared to similar walls made of the same concrete or of pure paraffin. Since then we could talk about a new composite concrete, in whose composition a phase-change material PCM appears as a component, and through which the phase-change material PCM a new area of research was activated having a significant impact on the energy economy.

One of the ways of introduction of the phase-change material PCM into the concrete is adding the PCM in the form of a micro-closed phase, as shown in the case of new generation - self-compacting concretes - e.g. in the publication: M. Hunger, A.G. Entrop, I. Mandilaras, H.J.H. Brouwers, M. Founti. The behavior of self-compacting concrete containing micro-encapsulated phase change materials. Cem. Concr. Compos., 31 (2009), pp. 731-743. Moreover, in that publication it was shown that increasing the share of the phase-change material PCM resulted in lower thermal conductivity and greater heat capacity, thus an increase of thermal efficiency of the concrete. However, A disadvantage of such an obtained composite is a considerable loss of compressive strength with increasing share of the phase-change material PCM.

The phase-change material PCM in dispersible form is also used in ordinary concretes with fibers, e.g. basalt concretes. The results of such a composite is shown, e.g., in the publication: Juan Shi, Zhenqian Chen, , Shuai Shao, Jiayi Zheng. Experimental and numerical study on effective thermal conductivity of novel form-stable basalt fiber composite concrete with PCMs for thermal storage. Applied Thermal Engineering. 66(1-2) (2014), pp 156-161. In this case, the basalt fibers are used to improve the elastic modulus and strength. As disclosed e.g. in the publication: Shazim Alt Memon, Hongzhi Cui, Tommy Y. Lo, Qiusheng Li. Development of structural-functional integrated concrete with macro-encapsulated PCM for thermal energy storage. Applied Energy. 150 (2015), pp 245-257, in the case of an ordinary concrete or a lightweight aggregate-based concrete high thermal capacity is advantageous, especially in temperate climates, where the concrete is used to store energy during the day and release it during the night. This activity reduces the need for cooling and heating. Furthermore, the energy capacity of such concrete is reinforced by introduction of the phase-change material PCM.

The phase-change material PCM can be inserted into the concrete in several ways: by direct embedding, immersion, applying it in form of a stable composite PCM and encapsulating and introducing it during the mixing of the concrete compound, as shown in the publication: S.A. Memon. Phase change materials integrated in building walls: a state of the art review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev, 31 (2014), pp. 870-906.

In the case of a direct immersion of the concrete in a liquid composite material PCM the problem are potential leaks significantly affecting the properties of the concrete, as described e.g. in the publication: N. Soares, J.J. Costa, A.R. Caspar, P. Santos. Review of passive PCM latent heat thermal energy storage systems towards buildings ' energy efficiency. Energy Build, 59 (2013), pp. 82- 103.

Also phase-change materials PCM in a stable form are used, as described in the publication: A. San, A. Karaipekli. Preparation, thermal properties and thermal reliability of palmitic acid/expanded graphite composite as form-stable ^■ PCM for thermal energy storage. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells, 93 (2009), pp. 571- 576. However, the introduction of the phase-change material PCM in such the form into a concrete compound interferes with the processes of hydration, what has an impact on the deterioration of mechanical properties of the composite. E.g.. in the publication: Z Zhang, G. Shi, S. Wang, X. Fang, X. Liu. Thermal energy storage cement mortar containing n-octadecanef xpanded graphite composite phase change material. Renewable Energy, 50 (2013), pp. 670-675, it was shown that the incorporation of a small amount of such a material (only 2.5%) reduced the compressive strength of the cement mortar by as much as 55%. Therefore, the results indicated that the used phase-change material PCM should be closed, 85 wherein two ways of closure were distinguished in that case: micro-encapsulation and macro-encapsulation, as described in the publication: Hongzhi C i, Shazim Ali Memon, Ran Liu. Development, mechanical properties and numerical simulation of macro encapsulated thermal energy storage concrete. Energy and Buildings. Volume 96, 1 June 2015, Pages 162-174. The micro-encapsulated 90 phase-change materials PCM are very small particles consisting of a core material and the outer coating. The core material is a phase-change material PCM, and the outer coating is a capsule wall, which is inert and made of polymers or plastics. The phase-change materials PCM include the materials with low melting point, melting in the range of from -30 °C to 55 °C. A disadvantage of the use of PCM 95 in the form of microcapsules is a reduction in concrete compressive strength resulting from a significant difference between the internal strength of the microcapsules and the internal strength of the concrete and the possibility of damage to the microcapsules during the concrete mixing. In turn, as shown in the said publication, a greater advantage is obtained from the use of macrocapsules,

100 e.g., the use of porous aggregate material filled with a phase-change material PCM. The use of macrocapsules significantly reduces the effectiveness of response to changes in temperature.

The use of phase-change materials PCM is considered to be one of the most important advanced technologies used to heat and cool in the buildings. The

105 phase-change material PCM was implemented in the construction industry not only in terms of the concrete but also in terms of plaster, gypsum boards and other wall materials. E.g., in the publication Z. Li, X. Li. Development of thermal insulation materials with granular phase change composite. Adv Cons Mater (2007), pp. 741-748, researches on new plasters used inside the rooms made of

1 10 PCM microcapsules were disclosed. Based on the review of the state of the art in the use of un-encapsulated organic phase-change materials PCM to modify construction materials, no use of it in the cellular concrete was determined.

According to the invention, an insulating and accumulation construction 115 partition in a form of a cellular concrete-based masonry element is characterized in that it comprises a non-encapsulated phase-change material PCM dispersed in the porous structure of the cellular concrete of the partition, wherein at least some of the walls of the partition, preferably the bottom and the side ones, are sealed against leakage from the partition of the phase-change material PCM in its liquid 120 phase.

Preferably the cellular concrete of the partition has an apparent density of not more than 650 kg/m ³ , and its phase-change material PCM is an organic material, preferably paraffin.

Further advantages are obtained if the walls of the partition are 125 impregnated with a thin-layer resin mortar, which is a flame-resistant composition resistant to ultraviolet radiation. The resin mortar is a composition of flexible polyurethane resin and its curing agent and silica sand, wherein the content of sand in the resin mortar by weight in relation to the resin is from 0.75 to 0.85. In another embodiment the walls of the partition are impregnated with a solution of 130 aqueous dispersion of acrylic resin.

Further advantages are obtained if the partition is in the form of a block of cellular concrete or a cellular concrete brick.

According to the invention, a method for producing the insulating and accumulation construction partition in the form of a cellular concrete-based 135 masonry element is characterized in that in the partition executed using the known method of cellular concrete in the first stage the walls are impregnated, and in the second stage the non-encapsulated phase-change material PCM disperses in the porous structure of the cellular concrete partition.

Preferably, the impregnation of the partition walls is executed with a thin 140 layer of the resin mortar or with a solution of aqueous dispersion of the acrylic resin.

Further advantages are obtained if, in the second stage, plunge holes are executed in the cellular concrete of the partition, through which a liquid phase- change material PCM is applied to the cellular concrete, wherein the applied

145 phase-change material PCM is heated to a temperature exceeding its melting point, and it is gradually poured into the plunge holes to the saturation of the cellular concrete of the partition. After saturation of the partition of cellular concrete with the phase-change material PCM and solidification of that phase- change material PCM the plunge holes of the partition are closed with a resin

150 mortar or with a solution based on an aqueous dispersion of acrylic resin to form a seal.

As the resin mortar for impregnation of the partition walls and sealing its plunge holes a mortar is used constituting a composition of flexible polyurethane resin and its curing agent and silica sand, wherein the content of sand is used in 155 the resin mortar by weight in relation to the resin from 0.75 to 0.85.

Preparation of the cellular concrete with a phase-change material PCM is conducted in order to increase the heat capacity of the partition made of cellular concrete, while maintaining its substantial thermal insulation.

The advantage of the phase-change material PCM in the case of cellular 160 concrete is the use of the existing pores, at its porosity of 60-85% by volume, for introducing that phase-change material PCM without loss of the compressive strength already received by the cellular concrete. The structure of the cellular concrete executed during aeration is not changing. High porosity of the cellular concrete allows the introduction of a substantial amount of the phase-change 165 material PCM in its liquid phase using its hydrostatic pressure.

The cellular concrete is a masonry material characterized by a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and the associated high thermal insulation. Its use in the heated rooms building up is characterized by low energy requirements for heating compared to other masonry materials. However, because of its low 170 thermal capacity the cellular concrete has a very poor capacity of heat accumulation and response to changing temperature conditions in the room. In the case of the heat supply to the room, e.g., together with solar radiation penetrating through the windows, its overheat is noted.

Modification of the cellular concrete by adding the phase-change material 175 PCM increases its heat capacity and heat reception capability. While the specific heat of the cellular concrete is estimated at 800 ÷ 1000 [J/(kg-K)] the phase- change heat of the phase-change material PCM can range from 100000 for encapsulated materials to nearly 200000 [J/kg] in a liquid state.

In the solution according to the present invention, the problem of phase- 180 change materials PCM application to masonry elements, preventing their gravitational stratification in the liquid phase, leading to uncontrolled outflow of the masonry element was resolved.

The invention is illustrated by the examples that are not limiting the scope thereof as the schematic drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows the method of execution

185 of the partition, according to the invention, with view of a heated tank with phase- change material PCM and vertical section of the partition through its plunge holes, and Fig. 2 - detail of the plunge hole of the partition with the phase-change material PCM applicator, designated in fig, 1 with letter S in a vertical section.

According to the invention, the insulating and accumulation construction

190 partition 1 in a form of a cellular concrete-based masonry element in exemplary embodiments it is in the form of a cellular concrete brick and comprises a non- encapsulated phase-change material PCM 3 dispersed in the porous structure of the cellular concrete 2 of the partition 1, The bottom and the side walls of the partition 1 are sealed against leakage from the partition 1 of the phase-change

195 material PCM 3 in its liquid phase. The cellular concrete 2 of the partition 1 has an apparent density of 650 kg/m ³ , and its phase-change material PCM 3 is an organic material, in the form of paraffin wax. The walls of the partition 1 are impregnated with a thin-layer resin mortar 4, which is a flame-resistant composition resistant to ultraviolet radiation, in the form of a composition and

200 elastic polyurethane resin and its curing agent and silica sand. The content of sand in the resin mortar 4 by weight in relation to the resin is from 0.75 to 0.85.

In another example of execution the walls of the partition 1 are impregnated with a solution of aqueous dispersion of acrylic resin.

According to the invention, the method for producing the insulating and

205 accumulation construction partition 1 in the form of a cellular concrete-based masonry element in the example of execution, refers to partition 1, it is in the form of a cellular concrete brick. In the partition 1 executed using the known method of cellular concrete 2 in the first stage the walls are impregnated, and in the second stage the non-encapsulated phase-change material PCM 3 disperses in

210 the porous structure of the cellular concrete partition 1. The impregnation of the partition walls 1 is executed with a thin layer of the resin mortar 4. In the second stage, plunge holes 5 are executed in the cellular concrete 2 of the partition 1, through which a liquid phase-change material PCM 3 is applied to the cellular concrete 2 with applicators 6 in the form of porous tubes, wherein the applied

21 phase-change material PCM 3 is heated, in a heated tank 7, to a temperature exceeding its melting point, and it is gradually poured into the plunge holes 5 to the saturation of the cellular concrete 2 of the partition 1. After saturation of the partition 1 of cellular concrete 2 with the phase-change material PCM 3 and solidification of that phase-change material PCM 3 plunge holes 5 of the partition

220 1 are closed with a resin mortar 4 to form a seal 8. As the resin mortar 4 a resin constituting a composition of flexible polyurethane resin and its curing agent and silica sand, wherein the content of sand is used in the resin mortar 4 by weight in relation to the resin from 0.75 to 0.85.

In another embodiment of the method for production, impregnation of the

225 partition walls 1 and closure of the plunge holes 5 of the partition 1 after the solidification of the phase-change material PCM 3 is executed with a solution of an aqueous dispersion of acrylic resin. T PL2015/000150

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The invention may, in particular, be used in the preparation of blocks and bricks of cellular concrete 2 with increased thermal capacity, while maintaining a substantial thermal insulation.

List of designations

- partition,

- cellular concrete

- phase-change material PCM

- resin mortar,

- plunge hole,

- applicator,

- heated tank,

- seal